Mets down Phillies, 5-2, with late-inning heroics after collision knocks Josh Thole out

Drew Hallowell/Getty ImagesMets catcher Josh Thole left tonight's game in the eighth inning after Ty Wigginton's shoulder collided with Thole's jaw at home plate. Wigginton was called out on the play.

PHILADELPHIA — The force of the blow spun Mets catcher Josh Thole 180 degrees. His right hand clutched the back of his head. He rolled face-down into the dirt, his body sprawled across the plate he had just protected with his chin, the recipient of a full-speed shoulder block from Phillies first baseman Ty Wigginton.

As Thole lay still, a hush fell over the 44,365 fans at Citizens Bank Park who were rollicking moments before during an eventual 5-2 Mets victory over the Phillies. Reliever Bobby Parnell hustled over and saw Thole “was in pain,” his eyes clenched and his body gone slack. Manager Terry Collins and trainer Ray Ramirez sprinted toward his prone figure.

“Stay there,” Parnell told his teammate. “Stay there.”

Thole remained on his stomach for several disquieting moments, before hobbling off the field, into the dugout and out of the game. It is unclear when he can return. He appears likely to land on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion. Doctors were still evaluating him late tonight, but the team intended to send him back to New York tomorrow for further evaluation, assistant general manager John Ricco said.

Thole told doctors that he felt dizziness, headaches and elevated body temperature. Ricco spoke with Thole briefly in the aftermath. He described Thole as “coherent,” but the organization’s concern was obvious.

“We’ll see what the doctors recommend,” Ricco said. “And we’ll follow that plan.”

If Thole leaves the team, Mike Nickeas becomes the regular backstop. The team will fly in a backup catcher for tonight’s game. The two options appear to be Rob Johnson and Lucas May. Johnson is the preferred choice, but he has played in just four games since returning from a knee sprain on May 2. Collins said tonight he was not comfortable using Vinny Rottino, a utility man who can play catcher, as the backup.

Thole’s injury cast a pall over a mostly joyous evening for the Mets. Starter Jon Niese survived a rocky five innings to allow just two runs. Third baseman David Wright dented opposing starter Roy Halladay with a two-run double in the sixth. Bobby Parnell erased a bases-loaded jam in the seventh and another difficult situation in the eighth.

And in the ninth, rookie Jordany Valdespin swatted a three-run homer off star closer Jonathan Papelbon. It was the first hit of Valdespin’s career. He pumped his fist as he rounded the bases. Inside the clubhouse, his teammates doused him with beer and splattered his face with whipped cream.

But the lasting image of the night remained Thole’s crumpled body. The situation began with a pair of eighth-inning singles allowed by Parnell. After a bunt, Wigginton took third. When rookie Freddy Galvis chopped a curveball back to the mound, Wigginton barreled home.

Wigginton, a former Met, weighs 230 pounds. In 2004, he barreled over Cubs catcher Koyie Hill, who required four screws to repair a busted ankle. He has gained a reputation for aggression on the bases.

Nickeas declined to assess whether Wigginton’s play tonight was clean or not. His manager shrugged off the question. “I’m surprised that he didn’t crush him, to be honest,” Collins said. “But it was fine.”

Thole ditched his mask as Parnell fielded the ball and threw home. Wigginton attempted to slide feet-first. As Thole dipped to tag his left hip, Wigginton sprung forward and flushed Thole with his left shoulder. Wigginton slid a few feet past the plate. And Thole slumped to the ground, with his immediate future in jeopardy.

“He’s hurt,” Collins said. “He got hurt. When we got out there, Ray said the only thing he could say was ‘I’m real dizzy. I’m real dizzy.’ So I’ll just wait to see what the doctor says.”